I would like to build the cabinets for my kitchen (only seven, rather simple!) out of doug fir to match the rest of the interior finish work of my house. The immediate availability of 1X boards is questionable around here and rather spendy, so I am considering using 2X ripped and planed to finished sizes for the frames, doors and drawers. Plywood carcass with some veneer on the exposed sides.
Is this a feasible option? I have not priced anything yet, but the labor involved of the extra work wouldn’t be a big deal to me. My only concern is if the machined 2X may be more prone to warps and twists than a dimensional board.
BTW, last spring I built a small custom vanity cabinet for a client using the lumber from their old fir doors. The goal was to use the same aged materials and stain anywhere possible. Actually quite fun, turned out very well.
Appreciate any input.
I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?
Replies
" BTW, last spring I built a small custom vanity cabinet fopr a client using the lumber from their old fir doors. The goal was to use the same aged materials and stain anywhere possible. Actually quite fun, turned out very well...."
Hooker, re-read your last sentence..."actually quite fun, turned out very well."
There's your answer.
A vanity cabinet is really no different than a kitchen cabinet...a box is a box. If you used Doug fir for face frames and such before and it turned out well...then there is no reason to suspect anything different this time...especially if material is from same batch.
Just my 2 cents.
Davo
Davo
Thanks Davo, you're right. I just wish I had enough of my old doors for the material. Same color and stock fer sure.I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?
the stock you are using isn't salvaged is it?
I would be leary of the board staying straight after all that planing- after all the vanity was out of old mat.
Anything newer isn't going to be near as stable--expecially after you expose the new grain to the atmospere--
I got a great local mill shop that might have what you need--I could call and ask if you like--they distribute out of the cities and do some milling here but there big mill shop and supply house is in Wis.
I think Douglas fir is a great idea--love the look--check into salvaged resawn beams if you want old stock--did a sun room floor out of the stuff and ya just can't beat the look,
Good luck--let me know if you need any info--
Mike
" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
Thanks Mike, I will be considering your resource. The new stock thing was definately my concern.
I like the salvaged beam thought. Let me know if you come across any resources for those. I'm only in the planning stages, but will have to get a move on to complete before Christmas.
I'll be gettin back to ya, thanks!
BTW, what'r you doin' up this early (late)? Playing with the kids, I suppose.I get paid to do carpentry. That makes me a professional.
If I work on my own house does that make me a DIY?
Playing with the kids, I suppose.Was out in the shop building and came in showered and relaxed with a little BT......The sunroom floor out of resawn beams was for a GC friend of mine....I know the place is in the north metro somewhere--don't know exactly--I am sure if I asked him he would tell me.I am ordering some Maple 6/4 stock from my local mill supply--I will ask when I am there if they deal in any DougFir---Hope things are well-----Mike" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
Adam Savage---Mythbusters
It is doable, however the knots in the 2x lumber will ruin your planer blades and each board wll require add'l sanding after planing to remove the marks left by the knicked blades.
But you don't have many doors and drawer plates so you my be able to cut your material around the knots. Go for it and post pics from the result!
Frankie
There he goes—one of God's own prototypes—a high powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live and too rare to die.
—Hunter S. Thompson
from Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas
The moisture content of 2x structural lumber is much too high for use in finish work and it warps badly, but if you have time to let it dry out it works fine. A simple moisture meter will really be handy regardless of where your lumber is coming from. During the construction of any of our projects I'm always on the lookout for old or new 2x boards with good grain and set those aside to dry for use later.
There is a huge supply of old growth dougfir floating around in various structures being torn down, it's just a matter of finding them. We just installed some dormers on an old house and had four 16' 2x6s with perfect vertical grain in our demo pile that one of the guys on the crew is using for door jambs and trim. The dust and unforeseen nails are hard on planer blades so I usually sand reclaimed wood a little to get rid of surface dirt, saw to dimension as much as possible before planing, and trace every nail hole.
Have fun with your project.